Display stand



Oct. 6, 1942. F. s. ERDMAN 2,298,047

DI SPLAY S TAND Filed Nov. 23, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 O 6. 19 F. s. ERbMAN DISPLAY STAND Filed Nov 23, 1940 2 Shets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 6, 1942 UNlTIED STATES PATENT OFFICE- 4 DISPLAY STAND Frederick S. Erd-man, Quakertown, Pa. Application November 23, 1940, Serial No, 3651.903

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a display stand, and it is a particular object of the invention to provide a device of this kind for the display in bulk of pretzels, potato chips, cookies, and the like generally on sale in retail stores.

The invention also has for an object to provide a stand of this kind which may be collapsed when desired to facilitate shipping and storage.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this kind which embodies a display body mounted for rotation about a substantially vertical axis whereby is permitted a maxim-um of display within a comparatively small space.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved display stand whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more.

fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a View in perspective of a stand constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention;

- Figure 2 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view partly in rear elevation and partly in section of the structure as illustrated in Figure 4 Figure 6 is a detailed sectionalview taken substantially on the line 66 of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a detailed sectional viewtaken substantially on the line 1-! of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line 88-oi Figure 1.

My improved stand as illustrated in the-accompanying drawings comprises a'base B and a revolving display structure S. As herein disclosed the base B comprises a plurality of elongated arms I herein disclosed as four in number. These arms I in the present disclosure have theirinner ends welded or otherwise securely connected with adjacent arms I in perpendicularrelation. "These arms 1 c v nstitute an L-iron and is so 55 against retrograde rotation by a locking mounted as to be in the form of an inverted V in cross section.

The outer end portions. of the arms I carry the'depending casters 2 'or the like for contact upon a floor or other surface and providing means whereby the stand as a whole may be readily shifted from one location to. another as desired.

The base B at its axial center is provided with an opening 3 through which extends from below a king bolt 4 of desired size and which has its head 5 at the lower end thereof contacting from below with the plate 6. through which the bolt 4' is freely directed. This plate 6. may .be free of'con'nection with the inner end portions .of' the arms I of the base Bror may .be, suitably'secu red thereto as preferred.

The bolt .4 also extends upwardly through the axial center of a bearing cup 7 welded or otherwise s-ecurely mounted .upon the base B at the center thereof; This cup'l. is'provided with an internal annular raceway 8 for the ball bearings The bolt l also extends upwardly and freely through an opening llil provided at the axial center of the bottom member M for the revolving display structure S. Threading upon the upper end of the bolt 4 and above the. member M is a holdingnut Ii. Interposed between the aPllliedhut )H and ,the central portion of the member 1M1is a ball bearing assembly A, thelower member l-Z .of which is suitably secured to the member M or free of connection thereto as may bedesired.

The bottom member M of the structure S, as

'here'in'disclosed, also comprises four arms M of desired length with adjacent arms in right angular relation. 'The inner extremities of the arms M are welded or otherwise securely connected so that said .bottom member in itsentirety constitutesaunit. The arms M are alsopreferably of L-irons and eachof said arms is so applied or mounted as tube in the form of an inverted V in cross section.

Welded or otherwise rigidly secured from below to'the axial center of the bottom member M ista downwardly facing cup 15 and into which threadsa cone bearing vIii for coaction with the balls 9 within the cup 1. The king bolt 4 is freely disposed through vthis bearing 16 and through the cup i 5 a is clearly illustrated in Figure 8.

After the nut ,H ,has been properly adjusted to effect the desired mounting of the bottom memberM upon the base VB, saidnut II is held pin l1 or the like. Carried by the outer extremity of each of the arms M is a vertical column or post 8 of considerable length and dependent upon the height of the structure S. Each of these posts or columns I8 is also substantially V-shaped in cross section with its apex inwardly disposed. The lower end of each column or post I8 is cut out to provide a V-shaped recess so that the lower end of such column or post l8 may snugly engage upon the outer end ofan arm I4. The flanges a of each of the arms I4 are extended to provide the upstanding lugs 29 for contact with the inner faces of the side flanges b of the associated column or post l8. Disposed through these flanges b and the lugs 29 are the stud bolts 2| having associated therewith the usual nuts 22. Through the medium of these bolts 2| and nuts 22 each of the columns or posts I8 is securely but detaohably held to its associated arm M of the bottom member M.

As is particularly illustrated in Figure 2, the upper end of each of the columns or posts I8 is closed by a plate 23 disposed outwardly and downwardly on a predetermined incline. Freely disposed from above throughthis plate 23 is a stud bolt 24 having threaded on its lower end portion a holding nut 25 which coacts from below with the plate 23.

The upper ends of substantially radially opposed columns or posts |8 are connected by the rigid members or straps 26. Each extremity of these straps 26 is provided with a downwardly and angularly disposed extension or tab 2! which has close contact from above with a plate 23 and through which a bolt 24 passes. These members or straps 26, as herein disclosed, are in crossed relation and the intermediate lapping portions are secured by a conventional nut and bolt, as at 28. These substantially radially opposed columns or posts |8 also have their upper end portions connected by the head or crown members 29. These members 29 are preferably of strap iron of desired width and in the form of inverted Vs. The apex portions of these members 29 are connected by a conventional nut and bolt 30 or otherwise detachably fastened one to the other. The outer extremities of the members 29, as herein disclosed, each has contact from above with the extension or tab 21 of a member 26. Each extremity of the member 29 is also provided with a returned or reverted portion 3| having close contact from above, as is particularly illustrated in Figure 2, with the adjacent portion of the member 29 proper. The inner end of this returned or reverted portion 3| is continued by an upstanding arm 32 of desired length and preferably at right angles to the member 29. This arm 32 provides a stop or holding member for a box or other container of merchandise placed upon the member 29 adjacent to said arm. This container is preferably of a type used in connection with pretzels, potato chips, cookies, and kindred relatively light merchandise generally placed on sale in retail stores selling foodstuffs.

Each end portion of the members 29 has directed therethrough and also through the associated returned or reverted portion 3|, a bolt 24 whereby the members 29 are rigidly held in applied position yet can be readily removed when desired.

The lower end portions of the flanges b of the columns or posts l8 and in close proximity to the associated arms M of the member M, are provided with the elongated parallel slots 33. Threading through the slots 33 of a column or post I8 is an angularly disposed extension arm 34 in continuation of an elongated side arm 35. The slots 33 are of a length in excess of the width of the extension arm 34 so that after said arm 34 has been inserted or threaded through the slots 33 said arm 34 can be allowed to drop so that the notch 36 in the lower margin of the extension arm 34 will receive the lower end marginal portion of one of the slots 33 thereby effectively locking the arm 34 in place but in a manner to permit said arm 34 to be readily disconnected and removed when desired.

The side arms 35 are comprised in a U-shaped display frame 31 and which frame, as particularly illustrated in Figure 1, coacts with adjacent columns or posts I8. It is also to be noted that in the present embodiment of my invention two of these frames 31 are provided and that such frames are at opposite sides of the structure S.

Each of the frames 31 is provided with the upwardly and outwardly disposed retaining arms or brackets 38 whereby the container for the merchandise to be displayed is efiectively held in desired position.

My improved display stand, as herein disclosed, is also provided with means whereby each pair of adjacent columns or posts i8 may hold or support at different heights or altitudes containers of merchandise for display. In the present embodiment of my invention, two of such means is provided between each pair of columns or posts l8 and such means between each pair of columns or posts l8 are staggered with respect to the means carried by the adjacent pair of columns or posts. Each of these last named supporting means, as herein disclosed, comprises two members X and Y, the member X being disposed outwardly with respect to the stand and the member Y extending inwardly thereof.

Each of the members X comprises an elongated and substantially U-shaped loop member having the resilient side arms 39 having an inherent tendency to separate or spread. The outer or free end portions of these arms 39 are engaged between a pair of adjacent columns or posts I8 with the outwardly and laterally directed ears 49 at said outer or free ends extending through the suitably positioned slots 4| of the opposed flanges I). These ears 49 are on such an angle transversely of the arms 39 to have the member X extend outwardly and downwardly on a predetermined incline.

The ears 49 are each provided with a suitably positioned opening 42 which receives the relatively short projection 43 extending inwardly from the second flange b of a column or post |8 as is particularly illustrated in Figure 3. By this means the member X is efiectively locked in place but when it is desired to remove said member X it is only necessary to slightly swing each of the ears 40 thereof to free the projection 43 whereupon the ear 49 may be readily retracted.

The member Y, as herein disclosed, is substantially in the form of a U with the side arms 44 of desired length and possessing sufiicient inherent resiliency as to tightly engage between a pair of adjacent columns or posts l8. contact is further assured by having the intermediate member .45 of the member Y of required length. The outer or free end portions of these arms 44 are provided with the outwardly and laterally disposed ears 46 which are insertible through the suitably positioned slots 41 provided in the. opposed flanges b of the columns or posts l8. These ears 46 are also provided with the This openings 48 so that the inwardly disposed projections 49 carried by the second flanges b of said columns or posts l8 may interlock therewith the same as has hereinbefore been described in connection with the ears 49 of the members X.

The ears 46 are also disposed on an angle transversely of the side arms 44 to have the member Y extend downwardly and inwardly on a desired incline.

Each pair of coacting members X and Y is positioned in relatively close proximity one to the other, the member Y serving as a support or holding means for the lower portion of a container while the outer member X serves as a support or holder for the upper or outer end of such container.

It is believed to be obvious from the foregoing description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings that the display stand as herein embodied is one which can be conveniently assembled and collapsed and which is also of particular advantage in displaying merchandise in food shops, the efiiciency of the device being further increased by having the structure S rotate.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a display stand constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. In a metallic knock-down display stand including pairs of spaced parallel columns each being V-shaped in cross section and having their apexes inwardly disposed, said columns having spaced and alined slots through their flanged portions, detachable U-shaped and substantially U-shaped receptacle supporting members extending in opposite directions from the columns and having their ends provided with laterally directed ears adapted for engagement through the slots of the columns, the outer end portions of the U-shaped and substantially U-shaped members being resilient with a constant urge to spread out when in applied position.

2. In a metallic knock-down display stand including pairs of spaced parallel columns each being v-shaped in cross section and having their apexes inwardly disposed, said columns having spaced and alined slots through their flanged portions, inwardly extending projections carried by the flanges of the columns, each projection being adjacent to, but on the opposite flange from that having the slot, detachable U-shaped and substantially U-shaped receptacle supporting members extending in opposite directions from the columns and having their ends provided with laterally directed ears having openings therethrough, the ears of the receptacle supporting members positioned through the slots of the columns and the opening through the ears having locking engagement over the projections, the outer end portions of the U-shaped and substantially U-shaped members being resilient with a constant urge to spread out when in applied position.

FREDERICK S. ERDMAN. 

